The Phase II MCRI project involves collaboration among partner universities in North America (York University), four partner institutions in Asia (Delhi School of Economics – India; Gadjah Mada University – Indonesia; Waseda University – Japan and Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences – China) and in Australia with the University of Melbourne. Collaboration on this scale is required by the inherent characteristics of the proposed research, as close cooperation with local institutions is essential to building the relations of trust necessary to conduct local empirical research on sensitive issues of trade and human rights policy.
We also build on the links with stakeholders and the public and private sectors developed during our Phase I project, adding new linkages with stakeholders concerned with particular issues of coordinated compliance. Input from project partners begins at the design stage, as representatives from government, NGO and private sector stakeholders are invited to design workshops to refine research instruments and processes. Partner representatives are also invited to Stage Two Research Workshops to provide input to discussion and analysis of research results. Stage Three of the project involves a series of policy seminars and roundtables involving government, NGO and private sector stakeholders to discuss and consider policy recommendations emerging from the research. Thus, the project is designed to ensure fulsome participation by partner institutions and organizations throughout.
Our partner organizations include the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, Canada-China Business Council, Canada-India Business Council, Canada-Indonesia Business Council, North-South Institute, Canadian Business Ethics Research Network, Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Japan, Canadian International Council, Pragati Abhiyan (India) and Rights and Democracy.
